The signs of the times...

Front matter

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Preface

The most of the following discourses were originally neither designed nor prepared with a view to their publication. The afternoon of the first Sabbath in every month is devoted by the author to the Catechetical instruction of the children and youth of his charge. This has given occasion to a public service on the evening of the same day. These services were generally attended by large and mixed audiences. It became a matter of considerable importance to supply such audiences with instruction which should, at the same time, command their attention, and prove profitable to them. A large proportion of them, consisted of young men, who had either just entered upon the active concerns of life, or who were preparing for them. Several courses of

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instruction were taken into consideration, and it was finally concluded that the aspects of Divine Providence were such as to afford many lessons which might be taught and enforced with profit.

This conviction was confirmed by the consideration, that although the dispensations of Divine Providence are often deeply interesting and highly instructive, they are seldom taken up and considered in order — and thus the advantages which might be derived from them are lost, because they have not been expounded and enforced. Even those which concern us as individuals, are soon forgotten, unless attention is from time to time directed to them, or the general principles of the Divine administration are so infixed in the mind as to identify the presence and government of God with every movement.

It was also thought that as the latter days approach, the aspects of the Divine administration might be expected to become more interesting and important, especially towards a country whose whole history has been so

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strikingly marked in every stage of it, and whose institutions and character are calculated to exercise, nay, have already exercised, so important an influence on the world. There was probably no mistake in attributing a special character to "the signs of the times," with respect to this land. And if this be so, they are certainly illustrative of our character and duty as a nation. Such a child of Providence should have its eyes directed to the Father's hand. We are bound to observe, study, and improve " the signs of the times.'' They are neither too dark to be observed, too abstruse to be studied, nor too unimportant to be improved. A way-faring man, though a fool, need not err. This impression has induced the choice of the general subject, and the particular topics which have been discussed, illustrated, and enforced, under it.

These discourses were prepared and delivered with a view to usefulness. They are published at the desire of many who heard them, and by the advice of a few friends, in whose judgment the author had great confidence.

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They are now submitted to the pubhc with great diffidence, and under a deep conviction that their usefulness is entirely dependent upon the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit. That He may be present with every reader, is the sincere and fervent prayer of

THE AUTHOR.

Philadelphia, June, 1839.

Contents

Page

Introduction, 7

LECTURE L Missions, 13